Harley Davidson, Milwaukee 8 Softail :- 5k service !

[@guzziman]

I wish I had mechanic like you in my home town, you are a treasure to the community that can hand you over bikes to maintain, repair, as well as the world wide community that get to learn from you

[@Moonfleet41]

Thank you for your kind faith, we hope the videos can inspire people to help themselves!

[@enduromotorradtouren]

The bike purrs like a cat after your service. And so do we! Knowing that everything will be alright. Happy days, Günter/Nürnberg

[@Moonfleet41]

ha ha, thank you so much, it's always nice to have fresh oil and filter, give you a confidence in the bike.

[@SheffieldVince-2E0NZS]

I don't ride Harleys but still fun to watch the video though. About that brake fluid tester, I guess that would be handy for testing already opened bottles? "They" say not to use part used bottle as brake fluid is hydroscopic (absorbs water from the air).

[@Moonfleet41]

If you open it, use it, then seal it back up tight, it'll stay good for a long time, ive got a bottle on the shelf for over two years, still showing just 1%, fine to use !

[@SheffieldVince-2E0NZS]

@@Moonfleet41 Great! Thank you for the info.

[@rickrogers2649]

I saw that same method of checking belt tension used for flat accessory belts on car and truck engines. Easy peasy. Sadly it seems like those big paper shop manuals are becoming an endangered species. So many manufacturers are using online manuals now. This old man misses the old school ways. 😁 Best wishes to you and Penny. ❤👍👍

[@Moonfleet41]

Damn right Rick, when I bought my Triumph Scrambler a few years ago, the damn thing came with a dongle!... I was most indignant, raised a proper fuss with the dealer, and said how on earth can I access that on the roadside if I need it? They said the paper manual is available on special order, but I'd have to surrender the dongle in exchange for it... You're right, we're fast heading to a paperless world! Thanks for your kins support as ever, have a great weekend, D&Px

[@nickvinten7803]

Amazing how many people don’t follow your advice in this video re a manual which was my comment in the last video. Brett’s Bikes is 3 units up from mine and the amount of stripped plug and sump threads he gets in to repair is unbelievable, some even requiring new cases or heads, they’re that bad. One bloke bless him even managed to strip a rear axle thread, must have used a scaffold pole, that’s what I’d call really swinging on it 😮😮

[@Moonfleet41]

Yeah, i guess it comes from an unhealthy fear of things coming undone or shaking loose.. it's and understandable fear to the inexperienced and one of the best therapies for it is to invest in some marker paint on the nut and bolt heads, do things up reasonably, spot them, and keep an eye in the over the miles... you'll soon see they don't move, and that confidence will eventually build and prevent them from over tightening things...!

[@TheNintendoFanBoy01]

Literally I was this person.... I was scared to even look at how to undo the sump plug on my bike at the time.... Until I found your channel 8 or so years ago (I think it might have been a bit more than that....) You, Penny and your videos gave me the confidence to try for myself to change my own oil. Then spark plugs, brake pads and brake fluid, till I gained enough confidence to custom a Honda Sabre (changed triple tree to 8 degree one, got a harley breakout rear fender made it fit, put a harley sportster S headlight on it customed a seat for it) you both have helped me so much...... Except Im still too chicken to do the clutch plates...... LOL but for the rest thank you so much I very very much appreciate you and your channel.... Do more clutch plates so I can stop being a chicken hahahahhaha

[@Moonfleet41]

My word, what a wonderful series of upgrades, I'd love to see a photo of the bike, it would look great with the extra rake! And as luck would have it, we are planning a clutch replacement on the Yamaha project bike... coming very soon! We're so pleased our videos have been an inspiration, it makes the work we do worthwhile... take care and ride safe, D&Px ([e-mail])

[@spokedtoosoon]

the rotating belt tension test is now something new I've learnt, thanks for that Del! 😃 don't need no fancy tool after all, perfect!

[@Moonfleet41]

You bet mate... thanks for watching.

[@shaunglendinning]

Short and sweet! Thanks Dell, appreciated. Best.

[@Moonfleet41]

Thanks Shaun. always good to hear from you mate.

[@myz06rocks]

I’m surprised that the service calls for replacement of the spark plugs at only 5k miles. Never would have thought that. I’ve been on the lookout for a bike to work on during the coming winter months, can’t believe what people are asking!

[@Moonfleet41]

Not 5k.. plugs are "30k or every Two years", which ever comes first.. bike is 4 years old.!

[@splodge57]

An NGK tech once advised me to change plugs at 16,000 miles unless they are giving a problem in which case earlier.

[@Moonfleet41]

Factory advises plugs at 2 years primarily due to corrosion on the front inner plug !

[@nickvinten7803]

A shortage of new machines over the last 18 months/2yrs has driven the second hand market prices upwards. Any you fancy put on a watch or saved list, things slowing down now cos it’s been such a crap summer, keep an eye on how long they’ve been on the market as the longer it goes the more people are willing to negotiate. Situation not helped by the number of boys and girls doing their test these days cos 2 wheels are a much more economic commuter. Have seen the recent prices on ‘project’ and ‘spares or repairs’ bikes, people living in dream land 😵‍💫

[@wobblysauce]

What about something like dielectric grease around the front plugs to lower/limit the water ingress?

[@ronnieireland2006]

All I can see now are your black gloves from the last video, never noticed them before 😂 great work as always

[@tommylitchfield3450]

That was an eye opener, wasn't it? The camera NOTICABLY changed when Delboy took off his gloves. Who woulda' thunk it?

[@howder1951]

Great video Del, not nice to know, but need to know. I got one of those testers because they were so cheap, however my HD is in a narrow slot when they used DOT5 (silicon based) fluid. Enjoyed, cheers!

[@Moonfleet41]

ha ha, that won't be needing a water test then...just have a look in the bottom of the fluid and any water will be sitting in a neat little blob and can be spooned out like and egg yoke !!! Always good to hear form oyu mate..

[@Goldwing1500rider]

Funny thing. Each time you're showing something… I'm just doing the same thing!! That's kwel!! The brake fluid tester.. I bought one last time you introduced it. Nice to have.

[@Moonfleet41]

Thank you for that, glad to hear it, as you can see, it's a great item so you can keep tabs on the water content!

[@ObsessiveCarDetailer]

Thank you Del, I've only had my 2024 Lowrider ST two weeks but this is such a great help for when I get to 5k. Cheers mate👍

[@Moonfleet41]

Blimey, that is some impressive investment, congraulations my friend... enjoy!

[@bikerfgdf301]

It's magical to see you working on the bikes! Greetings from Brazil.

[@Moonfleet41]

Thank you very much!

[@nickhellen6303]

I love those brake fluid testers! They just remove any guesswork. Lovely succinct video.

[@Moonfleet41]

Thank you kindly Sir!

[@tinks43]

Simple stuff every rider should be able to do 👍🏻

[@Moonfleet41]

Yeah, i totally agree mate. !👍🏻

[@jerryokeeffe9886]

Good tip about the belt pal.good to watch, nice and simple

[@Moonfleet41]

Thanks Jerry. Glad you enjoyed it mate.

[@rsbharley4766]

Nice video Del & Penny, excellent job mate, this one will help a lot of people. You got to love Harley's for easy servicing and are you loving that M8 over the twin cam ? Hope Penny and you are having a great weekend and not too wet, we are getting some sunshine and it's bloody great LOL. Take care and ride safe. Cheers

[@Moonfleet41]

Hi mate, thanks for your kind words as always... and yes, exactly that, we load these videos so it can help people if they need it, just trying to give a little back. And with the M8 vs. Twin Cam, that's a fabulous bar stool topic because I'm totally split... I love the Twin Cam for it's glorious traditional sound and classic looks, but I don't love the weaknesses they have, on the other hand the M8, love the fact you can sit at ninety nine miles on the motorway for hours on end and it laps it up... and the sheer grunt compared to Twin Cams, but I don't love the chewy engine sound, somehow they just don't sound like a Harley anymore... wish there was the best of both worlds... maybe I should own both (but that would definitely get me in trouble with the DS!).... Enjoy the sunshine, it's ok here at the mo, chilly but sunny! Ride safe, D&Px

[@kevinshelley2803]

Del, have you ever found that any of the 3 drain plugs are only finger tight when undoing them? I ask as when I did my Breakout 2 months ago, the gearbox and primary plugs came loose with nary a nudge of the ratchet. Mind you, I bought it from a dealer, so not surprised. 🙄

[@Moonfleet41]

Not personally, but they don't take much to undo, torque only 19 to 28 Nm..!

[@arthur4818]

To prevent oil mess at the filter, I take a nail and poke a hole at the bottom of the filter on the front toward you and let it drain for a while, then remove the filter

[@Moonfleet41]

Does it not then drain all over the engine just the same as it does when you remove it?

[@arthur4818]

@Moonfleet41 not if you use your plastic funnel made for Harley-Davidson, it drains into the funnel and then into a pan,

[@RuBa1Z]

For the brake fluid tester stick you can simply turn it on or off by just pressing the button, no need to hold it down. Cheers

[@brandywell44]

Would it be a good idea to punch an upper and lower drain hole in the oil filter then lay it on its Jiffy stand to drain out easily into a receptacle? Then oil the new filters seal and assemble to the bike dry. It would save a messy job. These look nice bikes now.

[@Moonfleet41]

Not so sure id do that mate, just whip it off and with the plastic sheet it drains anyway... Thanks for your kind suport as always.

[@KoHokCheung]

Hi. When i change the oil filter on my HD, i leave the bike on the jiffy stand. There is less oil dripping on the engine case. I like the tip to check the tension of the belt.

[@jasonshortphd]

Never heard the belt rotation tip, but I like it!

[@Moonfleet41]

Glad it was helpful!

[@nevillegreg1]

The twist the belt check is new to me, great tip.

[@Moonfleet41]

Thanks mate, I've cross referenced it more than once with a deflection gauge and it is a very accurate comparison!

[@MrMikeSteves]

The oil filter you are using, is it the M8 longer one?

[@revealingfacts4all]

noticed you did not use blue hylamar on the drain bolt that you recommended in previous videos. Is there a reason for that?

[@Moonfleet41]

Works either way, i like it on much older bikes, fragile worn threads can weep...but this bike is 4 years old, plug has only been out twice in its life.. fine with just a new O ring. !

[@allenhuling598]

Always appreciate these easy to follow, servicing videos....and I need to get me one of those brake fluid checkers!! Cheers to you both!

[@Moonfleet41]

Thanks Allen👍, great little item and can save and unrequired change you don't need to do.. Take care and stay safe..

[@savinggracechurch4112]

Love this polished channel! Penny's camera-work is ace and gives the viewers a visual feast for the eye. What a team!

[@Moonfleet41]

Thank you Marc, you're too kind!

[@fq7879]

Hi Delboy, really enjoyed the video. I have a question. I noticed that you did not put any never seize on the spark plug threads. Is it not needed on the m8? Also that belt adjustment trick has got to be your best. I always drive myself nuts when it comes to belt adjustment. Everyone has a different opinion on whats best. YOU nailed this one. Is that same method also good for sportster belt adjustments too ? Thanks again, warmest regards Frank from Florida.

[@Moonfleet41]

Yes frank, it'll translate to Sportsters too, it's a great ready reckoner when you don't have the special Harley tool.. and i use anti sieze for plugs on bikes that see a lot of wet winter weather, the inner plugs love to corrode badly in place.. but this bike won't see a salty winter, just the odd shower..!

[@robertbedson3207]

Great work Delnoy, I traded the low rider in on a '24 roadking special, wow what a machine 😁

[@Moonfleet41]

Nice 👍... that certainly is a fabulaous bike.

[@paulradcliffe2391]

Nice one Del 👍 Every time there's a Harley video, I find myself checking the prices and yearning for one 😁😲 Unfortunately can't quite afford more than one bike at the moment, but hey ho, maybe, hopefully one day 🤞🤞🤞 Keep up the brilliant work Del 'n' Pen 👍

[@Moonfleet41]

Thanks Paul, I know what you mean, I worked a lifetime to put a decent Harley in my garage and I could still probably have spent the money on more reasonable things lol... but we're not here for a long time, we're here for a good time, don't ya think, it's all about choices and priorities... Take care my friend and enjoy your weekend, D&Px

[@loddude5706]

Urban myth no. 762 - Sticking a brake fluid tester on your tongue, will NOT indicate that you deserve more tea . . . (Nice close-ups & lighting again Pen, so good it's hardly noticeable : )xx

[@Moonfleet41]

Did someone say 7.62? Duck, incoming, contact, ...bad day at the ranch... and thank you for your kind words, Penny does me proud!

[@loddude5706]

@@Moonfleet41 Ha - urban myths can run no.308, but they'll give it a sore throat : )

[@loganalomar9919]

Was this the same bike that you did the ceramic coating on? How has that treatment held up?

[@Moonfleet41]

Yes it is mate, it's amazing, water just beads up and rolls off and the dirt with it, a great investmet!

[@PaydayGabeBCNV]

I really appreciate your dedication to the Seely/Sealy products. I'm Surprised they've never ventured to sponsor your business. I wish we had a Tool supplier 🇺🇲stateside that was solely motorcycle focused. Or do we and I don't know about them 🤔. Thoughts Del,, or anyone reading?? Lmk. Ride safe everyone 🙏🏻. G.

[@Moonfleet41]

Sealey aren't solely motorcycle focused by any means, but they do have a great range of bike focused equipment... if you contact them direct I believe they will ship to the US if you need something specific!

[@Grumszy]

I remember seeing your first video when I had a 1200 sportster, I have now owned a h/d Heritage for about 14 years. Great info and help to me over the years.

[@Moonfleet41]

Wow thanks mate, really appreciate such long term support!

[@robertlumsden942]

I know this was a 5K service and noticed you changed plugs. i changed my plugs around 15,000 in think. probably did not need to but did.

[@Moonfleet41]

Hi Robert, the manual for the M8 Softail says 30k miles for plugs, or every 2yrs, whichever comes first... as the bike is 4yrs old they'd never been done, I thought it a good chance to swop them over for a level playing field going forward with the future servicing! And as you saw, the two inner plugs were already quite corroded which is, I think, the reason the factory suggests changing them every 2yrs... bad design, but there you go!

[@splodge57]

Another really helpful video. I'll be getting one of those brake fliud testers. Will the belt tension test be the same for a 2001 Sportster 1200? Cheers.

[@Moonfleet41]

As long as you prescribed belt tension in the book is the same or thereabouts, then yes, its a great quick alternative. !

[@splodge57]

Thanks for the quick reply, I'll check that.

[@Sr.D]

Wow, i wasn't aware about the m8 having 4 spark plugs! And about the belt tension check, it's has to be on the side stand right? Thanks

[@Moonfleet41]

Yes it's fine to check on the jiffy stand.

[@Anna-ci9rc]

Hi Del, what happened to the dashboard you made? You never put it on?

[@Moonfleet41]

Busy life mate, still haven't got round to painting it yet..!

[@Thelastoxonian]

looking at the plugs on my screen, it’s running lean.

[@Moonfleet41]

Modern fuel injection bike mate, don't they just, which is why I always use E5 Super Unleaded and nothing else...

[@kevinshelley2803]

​@@Moonfleet41 +1 on the E5

[@grosbeakmc]

Hi Penny and Del - great video! As always, entertaining and educational. Take care, dear friends. Be well and ride safe!

[@Moonfleet41]

Glad you enjoyed it, we hope the videos can help people out when they need it! Enjoy your week and ride safe, D&Px

[@tommylitchfield3450]

Good info, as always. I ran across a video a good while back about HD oil filters and I just looked it up and will post a link to the video. I don't know anything about the gentleman in the video, but he presents facts, not opinions. I personally don't have a dog in the hunt in regards to his video, since I like to use K&N's oil filter for no other reason than it has a 'nut" on the bottom so you can remove it with a ratchet and socket, but this guy's video was an eye opener about what Harley Davidson uses in their OEM filters now vs a few years back, and how Fram makes a filter that is much closer to what the Motor Company used to make to keep that oil clean... kzbin.info/www/bejne/eHKvoJx-pNl1Y6ssi=a_ci2XIO23NygOr7

[@Moonfleet41]

yeah, saw this video when it came out a couple of years ago.. there are rumours it's fake.. but i have no opinion on that.. simply change the oil and filter on time every time, treat the engine with some mechanical sympathy and they out live all of us..!

[@tommylitchfield3450]

@@Moonfleet41 I don't believe that someone who would fake an oil filter video would end their video the way this guy ended the linked video... "Go Do Something Kind For A Stranger"... It looks legit to me. He didn't cut the filters apart on camera, so there's no way to know which "guts" go with which listed filter, but the bases are marked. I don't know why anyone would fake something like this, unless this guy was a top-secret spy for Fram filters :)

[@Moonfleet41]

Sure thing Tommy, I agree with you, I can't see why he would do it and, indeed, we didn't see them cut open and perhaps that's where the cynical doubters come from, and like I said, I have no comment on that other than maybe that it's understandable manufacturers would cheap out where they can... hang on, is that me being cynical lol

[@tommylitchfield3450]

@@Moonfleet41 Being cynical comes easier and easier, this day and time... It's sad to say, and rather cynical of ME, but I think that this guy's cynical doubters really just can't stand how nice this guy is, spouting that dastardly Inspirational Message in that video... Reminds me of another channel that gets vitriol for posting Inspirational Messages... As The Bard said, "Haters gonna hateth, yo"... Enjoy the weekend, D&P :)

[@dezembersonata]

คุณเปิดร้านซ่อมมอเตอร์ไซค์ หรือ เป็นงานอดิเรกของคุณ

[@MACK13]

Absolutely mint 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻

[@Moonfleet41]

Thank you kindly

[@Lectric_Blue]

Hi D&P Thanks for another interesting vid. I always learn something 🙂 Del, I'm after a decent torque wrench set. Don't suppose you have a discount code for SM for that Premier set of yours do you mate? Good health & ride safe 🙂

[@Moonfleet41]

Here's two links for you buddy to demonstrate why we don't have discount codes, first is a Sealey link showing the full price of the set (and very good they are), and the second link is for Spanner Monkey that I'm directly involved with and we do far more favourable prices, taking out most of the profit... can't get any more money off them, they are certainly work every penny though! Sealey link: www.sealey.co.uk/product/5637894593/calibrated-micrometer-style-torque-wrench-set-3pc Spanner Monkey link: www.spanner-monkey.co.uk/torque-wrench-micrometer-style-3pc-set-p-124422?search=stw900set&description=true

[@Lectric_Blue]

@@Moonfleet41 Wow, big difference. Thanks for the links and info, much appreciated.

[@wobblysauce]

Indeed, and sometimes going directly to the supplier is better, just have a look around.

[@Moonfleet41]

@@wobblysauce The supplier IS Sealey, in buying it through Spanner Monkey, you not only get it cheaper, but you support us at the Channel !

[@wobblysauce]

For sure, was saying as a general thing, we already know there is quite a difference with the above.

[@64gorrilla]

Do you still like the amsoil in harley

[@fly69doc]

Hey man! Just bought a 2024 fat boy and i noticed that whisling sound when reving the engine and man its annoying...does it bother you?

[@Moonfleet41]

Can't say it really stands out on my 2020 Softail, but certainly the M8 engines do sound entirely different to twin cam engines if that's what you had last?!

[@fly69doc]

@@Moonfleet41 Its my first Harley, had a Suzuki intruder before. But i never heard the whistling noise on twin cams